Increase Frequency of Council Estate Agencies' Real Estate Salespersons Examination and Conducting Online Examination

Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether the frequency of the Council for Estate Agencies' Real Estate Salespersons Examination can be increased given the backlog from 2020 and current capacity limits; and (b) whether the Ministry will encourage the Council for Estate Agencies to conduct the examination via online channels.

The Council for Estate Agencies (CEA) generally conducts the Real Estate Salesperson (RES) examination three times a year. In 2021, the RES examination will be held in February, June and October, which are the usual months for the examination. The conduct of each RES examination requires the careful setting of examination questions so as to ensure that candidates who join the real estate agency industry meet the required standards.

In view of the COVID-19 situation, CEA has restarted the conduct of the RES examination on a smaller scale so as to ensure the safety of examination candidates and the personnel conducting the examination.

Recognising the demand for the RES examination, CEA will increase the capacity for the examination for future runs this year, subject to the prevailing COVID-19 situation. CEA is also exploring other modes of conducting the RES examination, such as conducting computer-based examinations at designated location(s), while ensuring that the integrity of the examinations is maintained.